1
as in ability
mental skill or quickness
it takes real cleverness to find a way around the rules
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in skill
subtle or imaginative ability in inventing, devising, or executing something
the undeniable cleverness of the negotiator, who managed to get each side to believe that they had won
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in creativity
the skill and imagination to create new things
Cole Porter's overall cleverness with words, including his effortless ability to rhyme and pun
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleverness
Noun
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Literacy is a basic ability, and fluency is the next level of skill in an area or domain.—
Nisha Talagala,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025 -
Others marveled at his ability to stand up to Trump with clarity and compassion.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Kansas City remains the team to beat in the AFC, and a big reason for that is the skills of Mahomes.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
-
Majors that require quantitative and analytical skills, such as engineering, tend to lend the highest salaries within five years of graduation, according to data from the New York Fed.—
Natalie Wu,
CNBC,
7 July 2025
Noun
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Nazar brings speed and creativity to Chicago’s middle six and made history for the franchise this year as the only rookie to score a penalty-shot goal.—
Kaitlyn Pohly,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
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That’s the rivalry, contained in two points: the creativity and improvisational feel of Alcaraz; the crushing technical brilliance of Sinner.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Noun
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And the company behind the bet was Google, which had acquired legacy phone maker Motorola Mobility and was leveraging its modern tech prowess and vast resources to make the Moto X smartphone a success.—
Verne Kopytoff,
Fortune,
5 July 2025
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Mexico enters the semifinal after a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia, breaking a 166-minute goal drought and reasserting their attacking prowess.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
Noun
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But with young talent on the rise and expiring contracts on the horizon, a big change could be coming to the room.—
Nick Harris
July 11,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 July 2025
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Despite the car's issues, Verstappen's talent behind the wheel enabled him to win his fourth championship, but Perez found the car too difficult to drive.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Noun
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The chief specimen here (played by MMA fighter Chi Lewis-Parry) is a massive beast whose brute strength is matched by his cunning.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2025
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On the other end of the spectrum was the more docile Kelly who often felt conflicted when her morals clashed with the cunning needed to succeed in the game.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
27 May 2025
Noun
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Such unlikely, but highly consequential possibilities are hardest to foresee due to human bias, but grappling with them can expand strategic imagination and foster more adaptive, option-rich planning.—
François Candelon,
Fortune,
11 July 2025
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Like a game of cat-and-mouse, society will need to be vigilant and remain alert for those who let their imaginations roam wildly.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Summer brings out the worst of its food scene (overhyped openings, influencer mobs, patios with no shade and even less finesse), as well as the very best: smoky tacos on the Westside, rooftop bars with actual personality, and high-falutin’ hotspots that are still worth the chase.—
Lela London,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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When the game was out of hand late, the 19-year-old was out in transition and finished with physicality and finesse.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Cleverness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleverness. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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